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Giant leopard moth caterpillar

Hypercompe scribonia

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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36.2558, -87.0411

Field Notes

Description:

The Giant Leopard Moth or Eyed Tiger Moth (Hypercompe scribonia) is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is distributed throughout the Southern and Eastern United States from New England to Mexico.
This species has a wingspan of 3 inches. The wings of this moth are bright white with a pattern of neat black blotches, some solid and some hollow. The abdomen is dark blue with orange markings, the male has a narrow yellow line on the sides. Its legs have black and white bands. Adult moths are strictly nocturnal and do not generally fly before nightfall.
The caterpillar is of the "Woolly Bear" kind, with a thick coat of black bristles (setae) and red or orange colored bands between its segments which become conspicuous when caterpillar rolls into a ball for defense.

Habitat:

Cumberland trail, Ashland City, Tennessee.

Species ID Suggestions

Giant Leopard Moth

Hypercompe scribonia

Comments (3)

I think you have nailed it bayucca! Thank you!
Just an ID-shot in the dark, you are more experienced with your caties, so take a look and decide how much you like my ID ;-)...

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